In 1995, 52 new Volvo Olympian double-deckers were bought for the route.[2]Route 185 parallels part of route 53; following the collapse of London Easylink in August 2002, it was left with a limited service provided by a number of operators, and extra journeys on route 53 were operated between Westminster and New Cross Gate to relieve overcrowding.[3]

The service is the only Transport for London contracted route to serve the section of the A2 road through Blackheath Hill. In April 2003 subsidence in a chalk mine beneath the road led to the road being closed and the route being diverted via Lewisham.[4]

In November 2008, a bus travelling on the route was involved in a collision with a car in Woolwich. There were no serious injuries. Passengers stated that the bus driver had braked sharply to avoid a more serious collision, and he was praised by a spokesman for bus operator Selkent.[5] In 2015, the route was curtailed to Lambeth North tube station and only completes the journey to Whitehall at night.[6][7]

When next tendered, it was retained by Stagecoach London with a new contract commencing on 23 July 2016, when it resumed terminating at Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade.[8][9]